The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-03-19

and Of these churches but one was Congregs-
eationai. The need Of more societies Of this
denomination was obvious, and was met by
prompt action on the part Of several prominent
Christian gentlemen.
Reports OF the popularity nnd renown OF Mr..
Beccher, Of Indianapolis, had already aroused
Eastern interest In the man md his preachings,
and through the influence OF his friend and nd.
vocate, Mr.. William p. Cutter, OF New York,
Mr.. Beocher, who was then in that city, was
asked TO preside Ut the opening Of the new Con-
gregationnl Church In Brooklyn, May 10, 1877.
Mr.. Beccher's discourscs produced q strong inn
preston upon his audience, and nt o subsequent
meeting in June Isi7 ut which the name OF Ply
mouth Church was adopted, he was elected unan-
imously by the society to the pastoratc, and an
immediate invitation was given him to assume
the position. In March, 1870, the pastor was ta-
ken with severe illness, which con filmed him to
the house for two months and disabled him
from preaching until September, nor did he re-
cover his full strength until the winter. In
Jnne. 1850, the society, Of It's own accord, gave
him leave Of absence to visit Europe. and he
did not return until September. In 1850 the so.
ciety, nt the request Of q number OF eminent
clergymcn and others, voted him leave Of alb
sencc TO traverse the country In behalf OF the
cause Of Liberty. then felt to be in peril. In
June, 1863 the society requested him TO revisit
Europe for his hoalth, which he did, returning In
November. With these exceptions the pastor
hns labored stcndily nt his post since 1si7, Mt oil
times other than tho regular summer vacation
which lasts on tho average six weeks.
Several Inducements were held out to Mr..
Beccher to leave Plymouth Church, but In vain.
In 1870 Mr.. Beechcr was editor In chief and n
principal owner of the Christian Union. which
was then rapidly increasing It's circulation and
influence. He hnd been formerly the editor Of
the independent journal OF similar character,
the editorial chair Of which he resigned in favor
of Theodore Triton.
What 10 known as the Beccher. .Tilton scandal
Is still fresh In tho mind OF the newspaper
reader. Mr.. Beocher submitted tho whole nut
ter to the investigation of = committee consist
ing OF some Of the most eminent and respected
members OF his church md society. They re-
ported unanimously, after giving bfr Tiltonln
full hearing, that the charge was entirely false,
and this report was unanimously adopted by the
church and congregation.
Mr.. Beecher's four children are oil grown up
md married. His eldest son. Colonel Henry
Barton Deechcr. is o well-known insurance
man in Brooklyn. Major William G. Beecqiel
is lawyer and the youngest, Herber,
Bcecher, is Collector Of Customs at Port
land, Ore. Ills only daughter Is married
TO New England clergyman, Rev. Mr.
Scoville. Mr.. Beccher spent his sum
mers nt his country homo Ut Pee,.skill, on the
Hudson. Here his farm has one OF the rares,
and finest collections Of trees nnd shrubs to IL
found on my private American dcuesne.
Mr.. Becchcr stood without n rival as q pulpit
| orntor; he was an ardent lover ofnature In al
her moods; his theology embraced all sects; he
was wonderful social and political force whcr
he chose to exercise his strength In these sphore,
his style Of oratory wns dramatio,' but uever the
| ntrical; his intuition WAS rapid and soournte
his analytic powers nevor took the direction o
distractions; he WIS intensely practical; hi
personal magnetism wan lorgo; Illustrations b,
metaphors and comparison csuae natural to him
| no had the keenest sense OF humor; In y word
he was giant among the intellectual giants .
| his day.